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Sligo B&B owner (67) raped guest
Summary
Thomas Wymbs, a 67-year-old former B&B owner from Sligo, was sentenced today by Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring at the Central Criminal Court. He was found guilty by a jury of one count of raping a female guest between February 22 and 23, 2020. The complainant, a European woman in her 20s, was staying at Wymbs' establishment in Moneygold, Mount Temple, Co Sligo, where he was the sole proprietor. Prosecution evidence indicated that Wymbs invited the victim to join him for a drink; she later woke to find herself in his bedroom where the assault occurred. Wymbs had claimed the act was consensual. In her sentencing remarks, the judge highlighted the fundamental breach of trust, noting that the victim was a paying guest and a stranger in the country, which Wymbs exploited. Although the judge acknowledged Wymbs' work history, health issues, and the fact that this was a single act, she emphasized the seriousness of the crime. Wymbs was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years' imprisonment, with the final 18 months suspended. The sentence was backdated to July 22, 2024, to account for time already spent in custody. The victim's impact statement detailed ongoing anxiety, panic attacks, and an inability to work resulting from the incident.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Sligo B&B owner (67) raped guest. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- February 22 Incident
- July 22, 2024 Incident
- February 22, 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2024-07-31 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; Today, Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring sentenced him to seven-and-a-half years but suspended the final 18 months of it. She said he was being sentenced for a single act of rape but it was no less serious for its singularity.
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